If you have the means to install an outdoor fireplace, it can be a valuable addition to your home. Outdoor fireplaces not only add character and decor to your backyard, but can also serve as a gathering spot for family and friends in the cooler months. Installing an outdoor fireplace is a larger project than most homeowners realize, so we recommend hiring professional help to avoid costly mistakes or injuries. However, if you plan on doing things yourself while saving some money, this guide will give you an idea of how to complete a brick outdoor fireplace by yourself.
Step 1
- Choose a location for your fireplace. Open spaces are best, but if you have a large yard and want to build an outdoor fire pit, that’s fine too.
- Buy the right bricks for your fireplace. If you don’t want to buy new bricks from a brickyard or hardware store, ask around at local construction sites (like this one). Often times contractors will be happy to give away old bricks for free or very cheap because they no longer need them.
- Buy mortar—preferably cement-based—to fill up the space between the bricks and make sure they stay together when you pile on top of them with soil later on. You can also use cement paint instead of mortar; just make sure it doesn’t contain any sand or clay
Step 2
- Level the bricks
Now that you have a base of concrete, it’s time to start building with bricks. You’ll want to use bricks that are all the same size and shape so that everything looks uniform and professional once you’re done. The mortar will hold them together, so don’t worry about getting the exact dimensions right on each brick—just make sure they’re all similar in height, width and length.
After laying out your first row of bricks, take a level (a carpenter’s level works great) and place it across two adjacent sides to ensure they are parallel with each other before continuing with another set of levels until all sides are even. If you don’t have access to a level, use your eye as a guide by lining up one side against something sturdy like a fence post or tree trunk if possible – just make sure this object is flat against its surface
Step 3
Now that your base is in place, it’s time to start building the actual fire pit. You will want to lay out the bricks on the ground in an outline of the shape that you want your fire pit to be. Use a level or straight line tool (I like chalk) to make sure that they are all level and straight with each other.
Once you have laid out your bricks, use a spade or shovel to dig out dirt from inside your outlines for about 6 inches down. Once this is done, fill it back up with more dirt until it is level with where you want the top of your fireplace wall structure to be (usually about one foot tall).
Once all of these steps have been completed, take out any loose stones or debris from where we will be laying our mortar between each brick. Then cut any extra length off our bricks so they line up perfectly together when laid down on top of one another later on during construction
Step 4
Step 4: Build the firebox.
Using bricks, build a box to hold your fire. You can use mortar or clay to secure them in place. Make sure that each brick is level with the next and that there are no gaps between them. You will also want to make sure that there are no sharp edges or corners on your box—they could cause dangerous burns when holding hands over the fireplace. The depth of your box should be about 8 inches as this will allow room for air circulation and protect from wind gusts which could cause problems if it were any deeper than this measurement.
Now that you have completed building an outdoor fireplace with bricks, all you need now is some kindling, wood logs and some matches! This DIY project should only take about two hours if done correctly so why not give it a try today?
Step 5
Using the brick and trowel, place a brick in the middle of your fire pit. This will be your first layer.
Take a second brick and place it on top of the first brick you placed in your fire pit. This will be your second layer.
Place another brick on top of that one and continue this process until you have reached the desired height for your fireplace (2-3 inches).
Step 6
- Place the bricks on the ground to form a base.
- Place your first layer of bricks on top of this base, making sure that it’s level and straight. It may help to place them at an angle so that you can see if any are higher or lower than others from this angle, but make sure they all have the same height
- Place your second layer on top of these first bricks, again making sure that everything is level and straight (and maybe adding in some mortar between each brick).
- Repeat step 3 until you’ve got five layers all together—or however tall you’d like your fireplace wall to be! If you’re feeling ambitious and want something even taller than five layers (which will require more mortar), go ahead and add another row with six or seven layers instead! You’ll need just as much mortar as before though: don’t skimp when it comes to building up such an important feature in your backyard oasis
Step 7
- Step 7: Place bricks in a pyramid shape, then use mortar to fill gaps and create a solid structure.
- Step 8: Once the bricks are in place, use mortar to fill the gaps between them, using a trowel to smooth it out (like you would with frosting).
- Step 9: Repeat this process until your fireplace is complete! If desired, you can also add stones or other decorative items such as glass vases or candles for added effect.
Step 8
Step 8:
After laying the bricks, it’s time to put them on fire. Use the kindling that you made in Step 1 and light it up! You can now use this fire as a heat source, or just let it burn because why not? It’s fun!
Step 9:
Repeat Step 7 and 8 until every brick is on fire! This will keep your fireplace warm for hours of entertainment and warmth. When done, turn off all sources of heat so that no one gets hurt by an unexpected burst of flames from their fireplace (or anything else).
How to build an outdoor fireplace with bricks.
You will need:
- Bricks (1,000+)
- Sand and cement mix (3:1)
- Waterproof paint
- Paint brush or roller
Conclusion
The outdoor fireplace is a great place for you and your family to spend time together. You can have a number of different types of fireplaces built, but the most common are ones that use brick. This article will show you how easy it is to build an outdoor fireplace with bricks in just eight steps!
